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The XK120 made its debut at the Earls Court Motor Show in 1948. which. by all accounts. created nothing short of a sensation in the automotive world. This was Jaguar's first modern envelope body with integral fenders and a newly designed chassis with torsion bar front suspension. The elegant. voluptuous—yet sleek—styling was the work of Sir William Lyons and was offered in roadster (OTS). coupé and drophead coupé body styles throughout the model run.

Special Equipment (SE) models. indicated by an “S” prefix on the chassis tag. first became available in 1951. The SE came in a “modified state of tune. with their 3. 4-liter engines receiving higher-lift camshafts. a lightened flywheel. a unique crankshaft damper. stiffer valve springs and a Burgess dual exhaust. As a result. SE models produced 180 horsepower (160 was standard) and 203 pound-feet of torque.

To further improve handling. the SE models also received stiffer leaf springs in the rear and stiffer torsion bars up front. and wire wheels with knock-off spinners (optional on non-SE) were standard equipment.

This 1953 Jaguar XK120SE for Sale:

Chassis No. : S673394

Body No. : F5442

Engine No. : W7014-8S

Gearbox No. : JL14746

This roadster is a Jaguar Diamler Heritage Trust certified. 1953 Jaguar XK120SE (SE is also referred to as “M”). in a beautiful Birch Gray. with Biscuit and Red interior. If my resources are correct (refer to the highlighted chart below. this vehicle is 1 of 2206 SE models Jaguar produced between 1951 and 1954. I have not found how many were produced. per year. anywhere. I think it's reasonable to assume this vehicle is 1 of 400-500 produced in 1953. Of course. I'm just averaging per year. If anyone has accurate production numbers for each year. I would be thrilled to see them and fully disclose exactly how rare this vehicle is. It is unquestionable. though. that this vehicle. with its low production numbers. and incredible color combination. is indeed rare.

Production Numbers:

I have highlighted the areas relevant to the Jaguar listed here for sale. OTS (Open Two Seater) is referred to as Open 2-seater on Jaguar Diamler Heritage Trust certificate. All numbers can be cross referenced on the certificate. as well as the original production tag. XK120 chassis numbers ran as follows:OTS - total 7611 cars (see notes 1-5)OTS RHD alloy body_____660001 to 660058____'48 to '50 Total:57OTS RHD steel body_____660059 to 661176____'50 to '54 Total:1069 +47 SEOTS LHD alloy body_____670001 to 670184____'48 to '50 Total: 183OTS LHD steel body_____670185 to 676438____'50 to '54 Total:4049 + 2206 SEFHC - total 2678 cars (see note 6)FHC RHD________________669001 to 669195____'51 to '54 Total: 137 +58 SEFHC LHD________________679001 to 681485____'51 to '54 Total:1730 + 753 SEDHC -total 1767 carsDHC RHD________________667001 to 667295____'53 to '54 Total: 261 +34 SEDHC LHD________________677001 to 678472____'53 to '54 Total: 763 + 709 SETotal XK120s - 12. 56Notes:1. 660010 was sent to the experimental dept as a chassis only. Excludedfrom the count. 2. 670172 was the prototype steel body. 3. Notes 1 and 2 explain why there appear to have been 242 chassiswhereas there were only 240 alloy cars. body numbers F1001-F1240. 4. 660750 chassis only sent to Shorters. New Zealand. excluded from thetotal. 5. 660751 chassis only sent to Jaguar Car Distributors. Belgium. excludedfrom the total. 6. 681241 and 681242 FHC chassis numbers were not used. Engine numbers ran from W1001 to W9999 and then from F1001 apparently toF4249. being the highest number found in factory or engine plant records. This means that there were apparently 188 spare XK120 engines made. sevenof which were fitted to XK140 cars (F prefixes). Engine numbers did notdistinguish body styles. nor was there a separate sequence for SpecialEquipment cars (S prefixes). Body numbers ran serially as follows. without distinguishing RHD from LHD cars:OTS alloy - F1001 to F1240OTS steel - F1241 to approximately F8611FHC - J1001 to approximately J3678DHC - P1001 to approximately P2767

Restoration:

This XK120SE underwent a complete frame-up restoration by Auto Collectors Garage. of Houston. TX. The restoration was completed at the end of 2012. An 89 page restoration “Build Book. with receipts and photos documenting the restoration. is included in the sale.

About Auto Collectors Garage (from website):

The founders of Auto Collectors Garage (ACG) have over 40 years of experience in the classic car business. Not only have we built some of the world's most significant collections of rare and exotic cars. but we have also worked with famous museums and private collectors. This experience has kept ACG up-to-date with the most current market information. which allows us to provide our individual clients with the best possible information about what cars to buy and/or restore.

Having sold everything from a 1929 Duesenburg to a 1997 Aston Martin Valonte Convertible. nbsp;Auto Collectors Garage clearly provides its customers with a broad scope of possibilities. Our extensive knowledge of Maseratis has lead to the creation of two of the world's most significant collections. Auto Collectors Garage has also sold. serviced. or restored over 300 Jaguars. 50 Austin Healeys. 60 MGAs. and many other British automobiles. Due to the renowned interest in American muscle cars. nbsp;Auto Collectors Garage has also done over 100 Mustangs. including Shelbys and AC Cobras. Additionally. ACG now offers modern upgrades when dealing with such things as suspension. steering. custom air conditioning and stereo installations on American cars of the 50′s and 60′s.

At Auto Collectors Garage. we have produced winners at some of the world's most prestigious events and concours d'Elegance. including Pebble Beach. Meadow Brook. Amelia Island. Keels & Wheels Concours D'Elegance. Mustang Club of America National Show. and the Lincoln Club of American National Show. plus many regional shows.

The current owners of this beautiful '53 XK120SE have owned the car since early 2013. They drove it one Sunday per month. to brunch at the café down the road (and then cruised around the neighborhood. afterward. just to keep the fluids moving and gas burning.

Why are they selling? They purchased this roadster as an investment. which it most definitely is. and they loved it so much. they have made several more “investments. over the past year. and frankly. they are out of garage space. It's time for someone else. with a larger collector's garage. to enjoy this one.

Notes:

Even rarer than these '53 XK120 Special Equipment models. it seems. is finding an owner who is willing to part with theirs. I've scoured all the resources I know of. looking for other SK120SE's for sale and they. simply. are not out there. There are standard XK120's. but even most of those are not in as nice of condition as the one we have here.

Take a look at the pictures. and if you'd like to see more just send a request and I'll get them to you. Any questions at all. please ask and we'll do our best. Also. feel free to contact us if you live in the area. or will be in the area. and want to look at the car.

For more information. call Jake at 402-601-3946.

Fine Print:

We require a nonrefundable $500 deposit within 24 hours of the auction's end. and full payment within 72 hours.

This vehicle is being sold as is. where is with no warranty. expressed written or implied. The seller shall not be responsible for the correct description. authenticity. genuineness. or defects herein. and makes no warranty in connection therewith. No allowance or set aside will be made on account of any incorrectness. imperfection. defect or damage. Any descriptions or representations are for identification purposes only and are not to be construed as a warranty of any type. It is the responsibility of the buyer to have thoroughly inspected the vehicle and to have satisfied himself or herself as to the condition and value and to bid based upon that judgment solely. The seller shall and will make every reasonable effort to disclose any known defects associated with this vehicle at the buyer's request prior to the close of sale. Seller assumes no responsibility for any repairs regardless of any oral statements about the vehicle.